James Middleton expressed his pride in his sister, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, after she completed the National Three Peaks Challenge. He shared his support through a message and emojis on her Instagram post, where she detailed her motivations for undertaking the demanding physical feat.
In a comment on a video clip of the Princess discussing her participation, Middleton wrote, "So proud." He later added a mountain and a heart emoji to a photograph of Catherine smiling after finishing the challenge. These gestures serve as a reminder of her resilience, particularly 18 months after she announced she was undergoing chemotherapy following planned abdominal surgery.
This is not the first time Middleton, an avid hiker himself, has offered public support. When Catherine announced her preventative chemotherapy in March 2024, he posted a childhood photo of them on a hiking trip with the caption, "Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too." His recent simple emoji comments signify his continued steadfast support.
The National Three Peaks Challenge involves scaling the highest mountains in Scotland, England, and Wales—Ben Nevis (4,413 ft), Scafell Pike (3,209 ft), and Snowdon (3,560 ft)—within 24 hours. Catherine's participation involved trekking 23 miles, ascending over 10,000 feet, and covering 462 miles between the peaks.
It is believed that Catherine's completion of the Three Peaks Challenge is a first for a member of the Royal Family. She undertook the challenge solo, with support from Mountain Rescue along the route. Her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, met her at the final stop at the base of Snowdon.
In her Instagram post, the Princess explained her decision to take on the challenge as an opportunity to "raise awareness" and share her personal message about life during and after cancer. She highlighted the significant impact serious illness has on individuals and their families, emphasizing the importance of holistic healthcare. Catherine noted her personal understanding of how cancer affects every aspect of life—physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.
During her challenge, Catherine met 11-year-old Ted Haslam, who has a disability, and his father Pete. The team was carrying Ted up Ben Nevis as part of a fundraising effort. Catherine later visited Ted's JustGiving page and made a private donation, estimated by the Daily Mail to be between £1,000 and £2,000, to support his fundraising for Molly Olly's Wishes, a charity for children with terminal illnesses. Ted's team ultimately raised over £13,000.
Ted and Pete recounted their meeting with the Princess on ITV's "This Morning," describing it as an "incredible" and memorable experience. Pete mentioned that Catherine had asked them to keep her donation a secret.